This page covers 6 recalls and 20 owner complaints for the 2021 Ford E-350.
Engine complaints dominate the 2021 Ford E-350 owner reports, with camshaft and lifter failures appearing repeatedly across multiple complaints. Owners describe accelerated wear to camshaft lobes and valve tappet surfaces, typically surfacing in the 70,000–80,000-mile range, and in several cases leading to full engine replacement. A number of these complaints come from fleet operators running multiple E-350 vans, with some reporting the same failure across several vehicles in their fleet. Brake complaints are the second most-reported system, with owners describing hydraulic brake concerns, though these appear at lower volume and with less consistent detail than the engine pattern. Steering draws a smaller cluster of reports. The camshaft and lifter wear pattern, particularly its recurrence in fleet settings, is the clearest thread running through this complaint set.
20
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
By System
The 2021 Ford E-350 has 6 recalls, the most serious being a faulty connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake booster that can suddenly dump steering fluid, leaving the driver with little or no power steering or braking.
A separate drivetrain recall covers vehicles where the rear axle differential may be underfilled with fluid, which can cause the rear axle assembly to fail and the driveshaft to separate, resulting in sudden loss of drive power. There is also a wiring concern: a rear wire harness can rub against the vehicle frame and damage circuits serving both the fuel pump and the anti-lock braking system, which can cause the engine to stall unexpectedly or reduce braking capability. On the interior side, two related recalls address an engine cover inside the passenger compartment that can get hot enough to burn the skin of the driver or front passenger on contact; one of these affects vehicles that received an incomplete software fix under a prior repair attempt that did not fully resolve the issue.
At a glance
What can fail
An incomplete software update from a previous recall left the engine cover prone to becoming excessively hot during elevated idle conditions.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a complete powertrain calibration update to properly manage heat during elevated idle conditions.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connection between the power steering pressure line and brake hydroboost unit may be inadequate, potentially causing sudden power steering fluid loss.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the power steering pressure line and hydroboost jumper line at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The connection between the power steering pressure line and the brake Hydroboost unit may be inadequate, causing power steering fluid to leak suddenly.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the connection and replace the power steering lines as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cover insulation may be mispositioned, creating gaps that allow the cover to become excessively hot.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect for insulation gaps and install patches in the engine cover corners. Heat management calibration will be updated if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A wire harness in the rear may rub against the frame, damaging circuits that power the fuel pump and anti-lock brakes.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the harness, apply protective tape, and repair any damaged wires. All work is free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rear axle differential fluid may be below the minimum level, which can cause the rear axle assembly to fail and the driveshaft to separate.
What the fix does
Dealers will check the rear axle differential fluid level and adjust it or replace the rear axle as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
